Shape Up With Joline: Should you see a nutritionist or dietitian?

Monday

Feb 12, 2018 at 4:00 AM

It shocks me every time I hear it when someone uses words like “sensible” and “no nonsense” to describe my approach to fitness and nutrition.

This wasn’t always the case.

In 2008, I gave up artificial sweeteners cold turkey. It was a grueling 30 days for the girl known for emptying a blue packet into several cups of coffee throughout the day. Once broken of the habit, I took on the project of overhauling everything in the kitchen. While I meant well, I’ll admit to going a bit bonkers with attempting to “do” nutrition perfectly.

Organic. Non-GMO. No dyes. Living a season as vegetarian. Turning my nose up at “processed” foods. Refusing to bake fun treats unless they included hidden vegetables. Consuming and doling out extra supplements I was convinced my family needed. Plus, and I’m not proud of this, taking an all-or-nothing approach not only with myself, but with the choices others were making. I’m certain I came across as Judgy McJudgy on social media while spouting my opinions about nutrition. I mean, how do you invite a girl like that over for dinner?

Shameful.

Having been “that” person, I am now keenly aware of “that” person. It’s the one on social media routinely spouting fear in reference to food. Since when did food become so scary?

It is also why I feel so strongly about following credentialed professionals. So much so, that I shouted out registered dietitians several times in a recent address I gave to the Beaver Falls Outlook Club on “Sensible Nutrition in a Culture of Trends."

Immediately following that address, I was asked to clarify, “You mentioned seeing a dietitian and not a nutritionist. My daughter sees a nutritionist. Is that OK?”

Yes. Depending on the need.

There are differences between a registered dietitian and nutritionist. The titles are not interchangeable.

As explained by NutritionScienceDegree.org, a nutritionist:

Is a broad title with little regulationIs not a protected title requiring proof of qualificationsIs not required to have professional training and thus should not attempt to diagnose, treat disease or create specific meal plans

​For example, I am currently completing a certification in fitness and sports nutrition (ACE), a course that does not require an academic degree or formal board exams. This certification requires the completion of several textbooks and online learning modules along with passing two timed tests to ensure I can confidently offer safe, effective, evidence-based general nutrition advice for both weight loss and improved athletic performance.

Registered dietitians, on the other hand:

Earn a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution, often in the field of nutrition science or dieteticsComplete an internship at a facility where their advice and research is both monitored and supervisedSit for a national examCan diagnose eating disordersMay develop meal plans for managing symptoms of specific health problems

​The overall differences between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian are regulatory in nature with more checks and balances being instituted for dietitians — including, but not limited to, sitting for a national exam. What a nutritionist can offer a client varies from state to state. There have been cases of independent nutritionists being fined by a state for acting within a registered dietitian’s scope of practice without the credentials to do so.

However, a nutritionist having completed a degree in, say, nutrition science, can go on to sit for the national certification exam, thus being legally declared a registered dietitian.

Now you know.

There are many enthusiastic nutrition experts out there.

Know who is guiding you.

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask for credentials.

Joline Pinto Atkins is a certified fitness professional (ACE, NAFC) wellness coach, lifestyle weight management specialist (NESTA) and also represents Team Beachbody, the makers of proven in-home fitness programs like P90X, 21 Day Fix and Beachbody on Demand – our all access fitness streaming package. She teaches P90X and PiYo locally at B-Well Nation Fitness Center and offers complimentary consultations for developing a personal fitness/nutrition strategy. Along with coaching and teaching, she writes on a variety of topics on her personal blog, www.thecuppajo.com. Questions may be emailed to shapeupwithjo@gmail.com or at thecuppajo.com/contact.

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